News

Ryan takes train concerns to Canberra

06 February 2017

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester will experience the inadequacies of north-east rail line first hand, after accepting an invitation from Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan to visit the region and travel the line with her.

The visit comes after Ms Ryan travelled to Canberra last Thursday to meet with the Minister about the reappearance of mud holes on the north-east line and to raise concerns about the Victorian Government’s failure to buy new trains.

“Darren wants to get a handle on the issues that are plaguing the line,” Ms Ryan said.

“Delays, cancellations, coach replacements, a lack of available services that get from A to B in a timely and reliable way - these are not issues that have sprung up with the last shower. For many people this has been years and years of frustration.

Ms Ryan said Minister Chester’s willingness to visit was in stark contrast to Victoria’s Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, who was missing in action.

“Jacinta Allan doesn’t want to know about north-east Victoria. She has done everything she can to avoid Benalla since she was elected, despite rail being the number one issue in the region.

“The government has announced new services for Ballarat and Bendigo while you can’t get to Melbourne any earlier than 10:35am on a V/Line service from Benalla or Euroa.

“The Shepparton line isn’t much better and has little to no commuter style services like those available from Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

“It’s no surprise Jacinta Allan is too ashamed to ride the north-east line when she is busy feathering her own nest, putting on 10 extra weekly services in her home electorate of Bendigo East,” Ms Ryan said.